Police in Manchester are looking for a man who they believe is in possession of the powerful drug carfentanil, investigators said Tuesday.

Manchester police and federal agents searched the home of Preston Thorpe, 24, on Thursday, but they said they believe he fled the area before they arrived.

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Police said they found a trace amount of carfentanil in the kitchen of the apartment at 50 Sentinel Court, along with a small amount of marijuana. Investigators said the apartment appeared to have been cleaned out before police arrived.

State officials warned last week that carfentanil was confirmed to be in New Hampshire, and it was linked to three overdose deaths. The drug was created to tranquilize large animals such as elephants, and officials said it's 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 5,000 times stronger than heroin.

A nationwide arrest warrant charging Thorpe with possession of carfentanil was issued. Police said he's originally from California, and they believe he might have returned there.

Thorpe is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He has a sleeve-style tattoo on his right arm and hand and a large tattoo on his left forearm.

Thorpe is believed to be driving a black Audi A4 with New Hampshire temporary dealer registration 2089050. The car has a "Team Nissan Manchester" decal placed over the A4 on the trunk.

Police said he could be traveling with Ashley Arbogast, 28, of Manchester. She is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 156 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes, and has tattoos on her left arm and hand.

Anyone with information on Thorpe's whereabouts is asked to call Manchester police at 603-792-5430 or leave an anonymous tip with Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040. A tip that leads to his arrest is eligible for a cash reward, police said.